Category: Brandpoint Health

2023-06-21T18:31:00

(BPT) – Your liver works as hard as you do, processing the food you eat and performing several vital functions for your body, including cleaning toxins from your blood and metabolizing proteins, carbs and fat for your body to use every day. After exerting itself performing all these critical functions, the liver regenerates. Because it’s such a fundamental component of your overall health, it’s important to help support it by making sure you’re getting essential nutrients to keep regenerating and working for you, day after day.

“Nutrition is one of the most important factors to promote liver health, along with regular exercise, stress management and healthy weight management,” said Dr. David Kahana, board certified in pediatrics and gastroenterology through the American Board of Pediatrics as well as medical nutrition through the National Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists. “While the best way to aid your liver is with a balanced diet, you can benefit from supplements that provide nutrients that are hard to get enough of from food every day.”

To help ensure you’re supplying your liver with the support it needs, 1MD Nutrition’s LiverMD^® has you covered. Here are the doctor-recommended nutrients contained in this supplement that help promote optimal liver function.

1. Milk thistle

An active compound in milk thistle called Silybin helps reduce occasional oxidative stress your liver experiences as it processes everything you ingest. It also supports liver cell strength, helping keep everyday environmental toxins from crossing into cells while promoting your liver’s natural detoxification process. For optimal liver function, the silybin in the patented Siliphos^® extract used in LiverMD^® is a great place to start. With higher bioavailability than traditional milk thistle extracts, you can be assured your liver is getting the support it needs.

2. Vitamin E

Tocotrienols found in vitamin E are powerful cleansing compounds known to help reduce everyday oxidative stress and support healthy liver cell division. You can find vitamin E in foods like spinach, almonds, pumpkin, cereals, meat, poultry, eggs and fruits. However, if you don’t get enough vitamin E from your food, a supplement can help ensure that your body gets what it needs. As you age, the ability to retain vitamin E diminishes, so it’s important to maintain healthy levels as part of your daily routine. LiverMD^® contains patented TocoGaia™, a full-spectrum tocotrienol vitamin E extract.

3. Selenium

As a purifying mineral, selenium helps reduce typical oxidative stress to promote the liver’s natural detoxification process. It also supports liver cell and tissue elasticity to maintain proper shape and function. The most common food sources for selenium include seafood, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, poultry and eggs, but many Americans don’t get the recommended daily amounts through food.

4. Zinc

This mineral helps aid the body’s detoxification process to support both liver and digestive health. By helping reduce unwanted immune responses, zinc also supports healthy liver cell division and function. Zinc is found in foods like poultry, seafood, legumes, whole grains, avocados, berries, mushrooms and pumpkin seeds. You can also add a liver health supplement that contains an effective dose of zinc to your routine to enhance your overall well-being.

5. N-acetyl cysteine

When your diet is low in essential amino acids, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) becomes vital. You can find NAC in foods like poultry, eggs, cheese, sunflower seeds, lentils, yogurt and oatmeal. NAC helps to reduce occasional oxidative stress, allowing time for healthy liver cell production and regeneration when needed, and also promotes healthy detoxification.

In addition to providing the five crucial nutrients described above, LiverMD^® also contains alpha-lipoic acid, which promotes antioxidant capacity in and around the liver, and helps liver enzymes create energy from the nutrients you consume.

While a well-balanced diet provides adequate nutrition for many, life can get in the way, and you don’t want your liver health to miss out on essential nutrients. Fortunately, 1MD Nutrition’s LiverMD^® is a scientifically formulated liver health solution packed with naturally sourced ingredients to help nourish and support liver function.

Learn more about how to maintain your liver health at 1MD.org.

2023-06-21T13:01:00

(BPT) – “How are you?” When most people get asked this question, the default answer is “fine.” But often, when you really think about how you are feeling, you may be struggling with your mental health. If so, you’re not alone.

More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Furthermore, about 1 in 25 U.S. adults lives with a serious mental illness, such as bipolar disorder.

While the stigma surrounding mental illness continues to diminish — about 47% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2021 — most adults still have difficulty accessing appropriate treatment. Among the most significant hurdles to care are cost of care and time constraints.

Online therapy bridges gaps

With the growth of telehealth and virtual care options, many people are exploring ways to seek treatment online. Virtual care can make therapy and medicines available in a more flexible manner no matter where you are located in the U.S. Additionally, telehealth options are often more affordable than paying out of pocket in a traditional in-person environment.

If you are considering finding an online mental health care provider, consider the following:

Do your research: Look for reputable online therapy platforms that provide access to experienced, licensed therapists. For example, Cerebral.com thoroughly vets clinicians, inviting only qualified clinicians to join the platform. Plus, they provide continuous training so clinicians are continuously improving.

Consider your specific needs: Determine the specific areas or issues you’d like to address. This could include anxiety, depression, relationship problems or other mental health concerns. Ensure that the therapists you consider are licensed and experienced in those areas.

Explore diversity and cultural compatibility: If cultural or identity factors are important to you, look for a therapist who meets those needs. At Cerebral, close to 50% of clinicians come from minority backgrounds. Additionally, Cerebral clinicians are experienced in providing supportive and ethical care to members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Don’t take shortcuts: Be sure to read the fine print. Some websites provide cheaper counseling or coaching services, which are usually NOT therapy. These alternative services often do not match you with a licensed therapist. Furthermore, some services are text-based only, or depend solely on technology-based care. These newer treatments have less clinical evidence for effectiveness as compared with traditional teletherapy. When it comes to your mental well-being, do not take shortcuts.

Why commitment to therapy is critical

Remember that finding the right online therapist and embarking on your journey to mental wellness takes time and effort. “Mental health is complex and unique to each person. Therapy doesn’t work overnight. It’s important to be patient and give it time,” said Dr. David Mou, CEO of Cerebral.

That’s why Cerebral launched Strong Start, a clinically proven two-month plan aimed to provide clients with the time and flexibility to develop and strengthen client-therapist relationships, achieve consistent results, and commit to the journey to mental well-being.

Strong Start offers three affordable starter package options, including a therapy plan, a medication management plan, and a combined plan with both services. All Cerebral care plans are FSA and HSA eligible, making them even more budget friendly.

Why commit two months?

A two-month period is the minimum amount proven to deliver better clinical outcomes. Based on a study of more than 70,000 Cerebral clients with moderate to severe anxiety and depression, those who committed to therapy for two or more months were three times more likely to report feeling significantly better.

“With a two-month commitment, Strong Start gives you a solid foundation for reaching your mental health goals,” said Dr. Mou. “Everyone deserves the chance to feel their best.”

For more information and to get started, visit Cerebral.com.

2023-06-19T07:31:00

(BPT) – Meal Detection™ Technology* provides real-time insulin adjustments and corrections to help cover undercounted carbs and occasionally missed meal doses

Isabel (Izzi), a ninth-grade student and active teenager, is passionate about playing the violin in her school orchestra, as well as guitar and participating in several musical groups. In addition, she and her family enjoy outdoor activities like skiing and hiking. But unlike other teens, Izzi faces the challenge of managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) since her diagnosis in 2020.

“I remember it being Friday the 13th,” says her mom, Liz. “I knew the signs to look for because my mom, sister, and several aunts and uncles also had type 1. It’s a relentless disease. I lost my mom, an aunt, and two uncles to complications from type 1 diabetes, and I was determined not to let this happen to Izzi. I wanted her to be healthy, and more than that, I wanted her to continue to be a teenager — one that was not constantly worrying about her health.”

Approximately 1.6 million Americans, including Izzi, live with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that impairs the body’s ability to produce insulin, the hormone needed for glucose to enter cells and produce energy. Without daily management of blood sugars, hypoglycemia (low blood sugars) can be life-threatening and hyperglycemia (high blood sugars) can be dangerous over an extended period of time and lead to complications like kidney damage, heart problems, and cognitive decline.[i]

On average, someone living with diabetes makes up to 180 diabetes-related decisions a day, including counting their carbohydrate intake before snacks and meals and then determining how much insulin to give themselves to cover for those carbs. It can feel like a constant math problem, and it’s cited as the biggest pain point for most. Nearly 50% of people consider carb counting the most burdensome aspect of diabetes care.[ii] When tested on carb-counting accuracy, people with T1D underestimate carbs 63% of the time[iii] and many forget or even skip them intentionally. This has an adverse impact on clinical outcomes and can lead to frequent highs.

Izzi needed a solution that would allow her to think less about her diabetes and just be a kid. Fortunately, she had the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial studying the MiniMed™ 780G system with Meal Detection™ Technology. The pump automates the delivery of insulin every five minutes and even covers for the times Izzi occasionally skips a meal bolus or underestimates her carbs.**

“As a mom, there’s nothing more I can ask for than a system that watches over her without us constantly needing to worry about whether she is going high or low — especially at night when the fear of her not waking up can feel incredibly stressful. It gave Izzi more independence and it really pushed her diabetes into the background,” says Liz. “It was a godsend.”

The clinical outcomes were the best they’d experienced, with Izzi spending over 90% of her time in her target glucose range. “With other technology, my highs and lows were much more severe, and we all lost a lot of sleep,” shared Izzi. “It was stressful for our whole family and my parents were even nervous about letting me drive eventually, because they didn’t think it would be safe. Now they’re not worried about that.”

Dr. Greg Forlenza, Associate Professor, Pediatrics-Barbara Davis Center, University of Colorado, and also Izzi’s doctor, says that mealtimes can be difficult. “Clinical outcomes are historically worst in adolescents — particularly when it comes to meal management and forgetting to bolus, but the MiniMed™ 780G system can bring them back into range quickly and safely.” Dr. Forlenza continues, “If you make a mistake, it’s okay because the system auto corrects in real-time. It also cuts down on potential conflicts between kids and their parents when they forget to bolus, and also ultimately allows parents to ease up a bit and give them more independence.”

With the MiniMed™ 780G system now approved in the U.S., Izzi is eager to get back on the system and is excited about her next big adventure: obtaining her learner’s permit!

“The MiniMed™ 780G system just makes life easier. I set my glucose target, and the pump does most of the work,” Izzi said. “Instead of spending time managing my glucose numbers, I can now focus on the things that I love! The best part is that my parents don’t have to worry about me as much.”

For more information about the MiniMed™ 780G, please visit www.medtronicdiabetes.com/780G.

Important safety information: MiniMed^™ 780G system with SmartGuard^™ technology with Guardian^™ 4 sensor

The MiniMed^™ 780G system is intended for continuous delivery of basal insulin at selectable rates, and the administration of insulin boluses at selectable amounts for the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus in persons seven years of age and older requiring insulin as well as for the continuous monitoring and trending of glucose levels in the fluid under the skin. The MiniMed^™ 780G system includes SmartGuard^™ technology, which can be programmed to automatically adjust insulin delivery based on the continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor glucose values and can suspend delivery of insulin when the sensor glucose (SG) value falls below or is predicted to fall below predefined threshold values.

The Medtronic MiniMed^™ 780G system consists of the following devices: MiniMed^™ 780G insulin pump, the Guardian^™ 4 transmitter, the Guardian^™ 4 sensor, One-press serter, the Accu-Chek^™ Guide Link blood glucose meter, and the Accu-Chek^™ Guide test strips. The system requires a prescription from a healthcare professional.

The Guardian^™ 4 sensor is intended for use with the MiniMed^™ 780G system and the Guardian 4 transmitter to monitor glucose levels for the management of diabetes. The sensor is intended for single use and requires a prescription. The Guardian^™ 4 sensor is indicated for up to seven days of continuous use.

The Guardian^™ 4 sensor is not intended to be used directly to make therapy adjustments while the MiniMed^™ 780G is operating in manual mode. All therapy adjustments in manual mode should be based on measurements obtained using a blood glucose meter and not on values provided by the Guardian^™ 4 sensor. The Guardian^™ 4 sensor has been studied and is approved for use in patients ages 7 years and older and in the arm insertion site only. Do not use the Guardian^™ 4 sensor in the abdomen or other body sites including the buttocks, due to unknown or different performance that could result in hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

WARNING: Do not use the MiniMed^™ 780G system until appropriate training has been received from a healthcare professional. Training is essential to ensure the safe use of the MiniMed^™ 780G system.

WARNING: Do not use SG values to make treatment decisions, including delivering a bolus, while the pump is in Manual Mode. When the SmartGuard^™ feature is active and you are no longer in Manual Mode, the pump uses an SG value, when available, to calculate a bolus amount. However, if your symptoms do not match the SG value, use a BG meter to confirm the SG value. Failure to confirm glucose levels when your symptoms do not match the SG value can result in the infusion of too much or too little insulin, which may cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

Pump therapy is not recommended for people whose vision or hearing does not allow for the recognition of pump signals, alerts, or alarms. The safety of the MiniMed^™ 780G system has not been studied in pregnant women, persons with type 2 diabetes, or in persons using other anti-hyperglycemic therapies that do not include insulin. For complete details of the system, including product and important safety information such as indications, contraindications, warnings and precautions associated with system and its components, please consult https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/important-safety-information#minimed-780g and the appropriate user guide at https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/download-library

2023-06-16T16:45:00

(BPT) – Lunch is an important part of your daily routine, but you may not always look forward to what you’ve packed in your lunchbox. You’re not alone. According to the Galileo Sandwich Report, over 55% of Americans feel bored with their lunch options, and over 52% are looking for lunch recipe inspiration.

Don’t settle for a boring, uninspiring lunch. Check out these three tips on switching things up and taking your midday meal to the next level.

1. Don’t skimp on sandwiches

Sandwiches are a classic lunch meal for a reason! They’re quick, easy to make, and convenient to pack and eat anywhere your day takes you. Also, sandwiches remain a popular meal choice, with 72% of Americans saying they enjoy sandwiches, according to the Sandwich Report. However, it’s easy to get into a rut if you make the same sandwich again and again.

Add variety to your lunch by experimenting with breads, fillings and condiments. If you usually use white sandwich bread, pick up ciabatta rolls, a croissant or a loaf of sourdough bread during your next grocery run. If you enjoy mayo and mustard, look for different flavors of your favorite condiments to spice things up. Search the deli aisle for cheeses that you have yet to try. No matter what you pick, make sure they’re ingredients that you enjoy!

Of course, no meal is complete without a solid protein. When looking for lunch meats, try adding Galileo^® brand cured meats like salame to your sandwiches. Galileo Salame is made using quality ingredients and timeless methods so you can enjoy high-quality pork flavored with a unique blend of herbs and spices. Use it to make a savory Italian classico sandwich or a light and fluffy salame and cheese croissant sandwich! You can also add the Galileo sliced pepperoni to make a truly decadent sandwich. For more recipe inspiration, visit GalileoSalame.com.

2. Step up your salad game

While leafy greens like romaine or iceberg lettuce are the base of many popular salads, you can experiment with different ingredients and dressings. Just about anything can go into a salad. You can combine crunchy vegetables, fruits, nuts, cheese and any of your favorite proteins to create a salad you’ll look forward to eating.

The next time you pack a lunch, grab some baby spinach and top it with strawberries, walnuts, goat cheese and a raspberry vinaigrette to create a refreshing and sweet meal. If you want a twist on a classic, try a La Scala chopped salad, which features thin strips of Galileo salame and/or pepperoni, shredded parmesan or pecorino cheese, romaine lettuce and a mustard dressing.

Another way to play around with salad recipes is to choose foods with different textures. For example, you can combine diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese for a crunchy and filling salad to get you through the midday slump.

Keep trying new recipes and combinations. You’ll soon find that you have a few favorites you can make and customize to keep lunch interesting.

3. Get creative with a charcuterie board

Turn a snack pack into a meal by making a charcuterie board for lunch! While you may think of a charcuterie board as a happy hour snack or dinner appetizer, it’s a delightful and satisfying lunch choice. Best of all, you can make as many combinations as you want, so you’ll never get bored with this lunch option.

Start by selecting cured meats like pepperoni and Galileo salame, cheeses, vegetables like carrots or pickles, fresh or dried fruits, nuts, bread and crackers. Portion them out into small containers or sandwich bags so you can easily arrange them on a plate. You can also bring some jam, butter or hummus for added flavor and variety.

Make sure to put your lunchbox in the fridge when you arrive at work and put any leftovers away as soon as you finish eating. You can also make a charcuterie board as lunch on weekends when you’re not sure what to eat or want a bit of everything!

Whether your lunchtime routine is at home, in the office or on the go, you can make and take interesting, nutritious and delicious lunches to help you power through the rest of your day. Let these three lunch options inspire you to get creative and make every lunch a meal to look forward to.

2023-06-15T08:01:00

(BPT) – New parents who either currently use or are looking to start using formula are faced with a multitude of options these days, making it hard to feel confident in choosing the right one for their baby. The research feels endless and so many formulas provide the same, if not similar, ingredients and benefits, making it difficult to land on your choice. Look for formulas that go beyond the basics to provide your child with important nutrients during a critical growth period in their lives.

Infant formulas have vitamins and minerals to support baby’s wellness — like calcium, iron and vitamin A. DHA and probiotics are also important for supporting brain development and immune health. But only one leading formula brand has lactoferrin (added as an ingredient), a key ingredient in Enspire Optimum™, making it Enfamil’s closest formula to breast milk.

What is lactoferrin?

Lactoferrin is an important protein found in breast milk and colostrum, the very early breast milk that is dense in nutrients. Lactoferrin helps support digestive and immune health for newborns during the first year of life.

What does lactoferrin do?

Clinical studies have shown lactoferrin’s ability to support immune and respiratory health for infants and toddlers, which gives parents peace of mind. It also supports gut health.

What makes Enspire Optimum special?

Through the maker of Enfamil^® formulas’ extensive research of human milk, they are able to better understand not only the nutrients in breast milk, but also the benefits of these nutrients for infants. Enfamil was able to identify a key component in breast milk that was largely absent from other formulas. Because Enfamil believes this component will help support an infant’s start in life, they created Enspire Optimum, the only leading formula with lactoferrin added as an ingredient.

This attention to detail means parents who choose to feed their child Enspire Optimum can feel confident they’re supporting their baby’s best start in life from a brand they can trust.

In addition to lactoferrin, Enspire Optimum also has a global expert-recommended amount of brain-building omega-3 DHA to support brain development and HMOs to support immune health. If you are interested in learning more about Enspire Optimum, by Enfamil, the No. 1 trusted infant formula brand by pediatricians and parents, visit Enfamil.com/enfamil-enspire/.

2023-06-15T10:29:00

(BPT) – Article is sponsored and developed by Sanofi. Nancy and Dr. Bai were compensated by Sanofi. This is not medical advice.

At 84 years old, Nancy has always been described as an active, high-energy person. With her husband, two sons, and two grandsons, her family often spends quality time hiking, fishing, and cheering on their favorite baseball team. But a few years ago, Nancy was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder that threatened the active lifestyle she cherished.

Living with Cold Agglutinin Disease (CAD)

After knee replacement surgery in 2016, Nancy’s bloodwork showed she lost an abnormally large volume of her body’s hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells.¹ She was referred to a hematologist who diagnosed her with cold agglutinin disease (CAD), a rare autoimmune hemolytic anemia in which the body mistakenly attacks and destroys red blood cells, also known as hemolysis.²

According to her test results, Nancy’s body was destroying red blood cells faster than replacing them. Since red blood cells are vital for carrying oxygen to organs and tissues, she quickly developed symptoms.¹

Nancy experienced sudden, overwhelming fatigue during simple daily activities like cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping. “I found that I couldn’t even climb stairs anymore,” she said, and she no longer had the energy to help care for her friends and family.

According to Dr. Wei Bai, board certified oncologist and hematologist, fatigue is one of the most common symptoms for patients with CAD, which can significantly impact their quality of life. Other symptoms may include weakness, shortness of breath, light-headedness, chest pain, and bluish color or discomfort in the hands and feet.³

A Treatment to Take Back Control

Nancy began working with Dr. Bai in 2021, before an approved treatment for CAD was available.⁴ They tried a variety of tactics like cold avoidance and related medications, but nothing successfully maintained her hemoglobin levels. Despite growing frustrated with fatigue that continued to interfere with her daily life, she never stopped fighting. “My life wasn’t fun anymore. I wanted to get it back,” she said.

New hope for Nancy came in 2022 with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Enjaymo^® (sutimlimab-jome), the first and only medication for adults with CAD.^4,5

Understanding the Research Behind Enjaymo

Enjaymo is a prescription medicine used to treat hemolysis in adults living with CAD. Its FDA approval is supported by findings from two Phase 3 studies: a single-arm, open-label study in patients with CAD with a recent history of blood transfusion (within the past 6 months), and a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of adults with CAD without a recent history of blood transfusion (within the past 6 months).^4,5 It is recommended that Enjaymo should not be taken by patients with known hypersensitivity to sutimlimab-jome or any of the inactive ingredients.

In one Phase 3 study, Enjaymo demonstrated fast and lasting improvement in hemoglobin levels. The trial met its composite primary endpoint – 73% of patients (16/22) showed an increase in hemoglobin of at least 1.5g/dL from baseline to Week 26 compared to 15% (3/20) on placebo, as well as remained transfusion-free from Week 5 through 26, and required no additional CAD treatment during the same time period. Additional data showed a mean increase from baseline hemoglobin levels. Further, average bilirubin levels from baseline to Week 26 returned to normal among 17 patients taking Enjaymo.^4,5

Patients taking Enjaymo also reported a significant improvement in the symptoms and impact of fatigue as measured by The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) at 6 months. In the clinical trial, patients on Enjaymo had an average 11-point improvement from baseline (improving from an average baseline score of 31.67 points to an average score at treatment assessment of 42.5 points) vs a 2-point improvement in patients on placebo. Higher scores on the survey meant a person felt less fatigue. The overall safety results were consistent with the safety profile of Enjaymo from the pivotal study.^4,5

Nancy’s Comeback from CAD with Enjaymo

Dr. Bai reviewed Nancy’s history to ensure she had or received the right vaccinations before starting Enjaymo. Together, they discussed the potential side effects of Enjaymo, including increase in blood pressure, urinary tract infection, respiratory tract infection, bacterial infection, swelling in lower legs or hands, joint pain, headache, nausea, runny nose, bluish color to the lips and skin, dizziness, feeling tired or weak, cough, changes in color or sensation in the fingers and toes (Raynaud’s phenomenon).⁵

Dr. Bai also advised Nancy on the infusions for Enjaymo, which are weekly for the first two weeks, then biweekly thereafter.⁵ She looks forward to her infusions as a time to relax, read a book, and take a few moments for herself away from daily responsibilities.

Since starting Enjaymo, Nancy’s hemoglobin has risen significantly (almost 4 g/dL) to normal levels (11.5 to 16 g/dL for women¹) and she hasn’t needed other treatments to manage her CAD. Today, Nancy reports significantly less fatigue than prior to starting Enjaymo. Once again, she has enough energy for grocery shopping, cooking, and caring for her loved ones. “I’m living the life I want with my husband, kids, grandkids, and friends,” she said, “I look forward to going to Alaska next year to fish for salmon and halibut with my family.”

Patient experiences on Enjaymo may vary so please talk to your doctor when making treatment decisions. To learn more, visit Enjaymo.com.

Important Safety Information and Indication

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not receive ENJAYMO if you are allergic to sutimlimab-jome or any of the ingredients in ENJAYMO.

ENJAYMO can cause serious side effects, including:

• Serious Infections: ENJAYMO is a prescription medicine that affects your immune system. ENJAYMO can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. People who take ENJAYMO may have an increased risk of getting infections caused by certain kinds of bacteria such as Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae. These infections may be serious or life-threatening. Some infections may quickly become life-threatening or cause death if not recognized and treated early.
  • You need to receive vaccinations against infections caused by certain kinds of bacteria at least 2 weeks before your first dose of ENJAYMO. You may need to have additional vaccinations during treatment.
  • If your healthcare provider decides that urgent treatment with ENJAYMO is needed, you should receive vaccinations as soon as possible.
  • Vaccinations may reduce the risk of these infections, but do not prevent all infections. Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you get any new signs and symptoms of an infection, including:
    • fever
    • severe headache with stiff neck or back
    • pain during urination or urinating more often than usual
    • cough or difficulty breathing
    • flu-like symptoms
    • pain, redness, or swelling of the skin
• Infusion-related reactions: Treatment with ENJAYMO may cause infusion-related reactions, including allergic reactions that may be serious or life-threatening. Your healthcare provider may slow down or stop your ENJAYMO infusion if you have an infusion-related reaction and will treat your symptoms if needed. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop symptoms during your ENJAYMO infusion that may mean you are having an infusion-related reaction, including:
  • shortness of breath
  • decrease in blood pressure
  • chest discomfort
  • rapid heartbeat
  • nausea
  • injection site reaction
  • flushing
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • rash
  • itchy skin
• Risk of autoimmune disease: ENJAYMO may increase your risk for developing an autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Tell your healthcare provider and get medical help if you develop any symptoms of SLE, including:
  • joint pain or swelling
  • rash on the cheeks and nose
  • unexplained fever
• If you have CAD and you stop receiving ENJAYMO, your healthcare provider should monitor you closely for the return of your symptoms after you stop ENJAYMO. Stopping ENJAYMO may cause the breakdown of your red blood cells due to CAD return. Symptoms or problems that can happen due to red blood cell breakdown include:
  • tiredness
  • shortness of breath
  • rapid heart rate
  • blood in your urine or dark urine

The most common side effects of ENJAYMO include:

• increase in blood pressure
• urinary tract infection
• respiratory tract infection
• bacterial infection
• swelling in lower legs or hands
• joint pain
• headache
• nausea
• runny nose
• bluish color to the lips and skin
• dizziness
• feeling tired or weak
• cough
• changes in color or sensation in the fingers and toes (Raynaud’s phenomenon)

These are not all the possible side effects of ENJAYMO. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Before receiving ENJAYMO, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have a fever or infection, including a history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.
• have an autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), also known as lupus.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ENJAYMO will harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ENJAYMO passes into your breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

INDICATION

ENJAYMO® is a prescription medicine used to treat the breakdown of red blood cells (hemolysis) in adults with cold agglutinin disease (CAD).

It is not known if ENJAYMO is safe and effective in children.

Please see Full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.

References

1. Farid Y, Bowman NS, Lecat P. Biochemistry, Hemoglobin Synthesis. StatPearls. 2022.
2. Collie JC. Cold agglutinin disease. Practice Essentials, Pathophysiology, Etiology. Medscape. Updated February 7, 2022. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/135327-overview.
3. Joly F, Schmitt LA, Watson PAM, et al. JMIR Form Res. 2022;6(7):e34248.
4. Röth A, Berentsen S, Barcellini W, et al. Blood. 2022;140(9):980-991.
5. Enjamyo (sutimlimab-jome) [package insert]. Sanofi; 2023.

MAT-US-2303524-v1.0-05/2023

© 2023 Genzyme Corporation. All rights reserved.

ENJAYMO and Sanofi are registered trademarks of Sanofi or an affiliate.

2023-06-13T07:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Lilly USA, LLC

Having a support system of family and friends is an important part of anyone’s life, but especially for someone living with psoriasis. Many turn to their partners as someone to lean on throughout their diagnosis and treatment journey.

Psoriasis, a common chronic autoimmune disease that affects the skin, impacts more than 125 million people globally. The most common form of psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, presents as red and inflamed patches covered by white scales.

Eddie, a born-and-raised New Yorker, is one of many people impacted by moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, and he understands the impact his disease has on his partner, Nick. For someone who doesn’t have this condition, it can be difficult to understand. “Nick heard me talk about how the plaques looked and felt, but he could never really know what it was like to go through what I was going through.”

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, having a chronic disease such as psoriasis can make it challenging for both care partners and the person who has the disease. It may be difficult to talk to your partner, friends and family about your psoriasis and how it affects your life, but the organization recommends not avoiding these conversations.

Much like others with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, Eddie has a long history of physical symptoms. His partner, Nick, recounts days when Eddie’s plaques were flaky, which made Eddie feel embarrassed enough to want to cover his skin.

After trying many over the counter creams and steroids, Eddie found a dermatologist who recommended Taltz^® (ixekizumab) injection 80 mg/mL, which resulted in rapid relief from his bothersome symptoms and total clearance of the plaques on his skin.* Thanks to Taltz, Eddie’s skin is clearer and he’s focusing on what matters most to him: friends, family and Nick.

Taltz is a prescription medicine approved for adults and children six years and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet or UV light). Taltz affects the immune system. It may increase your risk of infections, which can be serious. Do not use Taltz if you have any symptoms of infection, unless your doctor tells you to. If you have a symptom after starting Taltz, call your doctor right away. Learn more about patients like Eddie and their experiences with Taltz.

*This article represents Eddie’s personal experiences. While Eddie saw complete clearance with Taltz, individual results may vary. In clinical trials, at 12 weeks, up to 90 percent of people saw a significant improvement of their psoriasis plaques, and four out of ten people achieved completely clear skin.

Helpful Tips for Caretakers from Eddie and Nick’s Perspective

From the perspective of a partner and caretaker, here are some helpful tips to consider when caring for someone with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis:

• DO have an understanding of the disease

Having a strong understanding of your partner’s condition is invaluable to support your loved one. For helpful resources and to learn more about psoriasis, visit The National Psoriasis Foundation and Taltz.com.

• DON’T push too hard for information or give unwanted advice

It’s important to respect your partner’s feelings and decisions regarding their disease journey. Eddie shares, “Until you deal with it, you don’t know what it’s like.” Be sure to honor boundaries and keep your distance when asked.

• DO listen to what they are telling you

As a caretaker, Nick notes, “It’s important to understand why your loved one is feeling the way they are and to comfort them as much as you can, even knowing that there’s nothing you can do physically to remedy the disease.” However, listening entails more than hearing their words. It also involves picking up on their behavioral changes and paying attention to their actions so you can best support them.

• DO check in to see if you are giving the support they need

Being a caretaker doesn’t come with a roadmap. Communicate with your partner to ensure you are providing the type of support they want and need.

• DON’T forget to take care of yourself

Taking care of your own mental and physical wellbeing is just as important as caring for your partner. Prioritizing your own needs allows you to be in the best position to support your partner through the experience of living with plaque psoriasis.

Ask your doctor about treatment options, like Taltz, if you are living with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis

Eddie recommends talking to your doctor about available treatment options, including Taltz, if you are living with this condition and hoping for complete skin clearance.

If you have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, talk to your doctor about Taltz to see if it could be the right treatment for you.

Eddie and Nick were compensated for their time to provide insights on this topic.

INDICATIONS AND SAFETY SUMMARY

Taltz^® (tol-ts) is an injectable medicine used to treat:

• People 6 years of age and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or treatment using ultraviolet or UV light (phototherapy).
• Adults with active psoriatic arthritis.
• Adults with active ankylosing spondylitis.
• Adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation.

It is not known if Taltz is safe and effective in children for conditions other than plaque psoriasis or in children under 6 years of age.

Warnings – Taltz affects the immune system. It may increase your risk of infections, which can be serious. Do not use Taltz if you have any symptoms of infection, unless your doctor tells you to. If you have a symptom after starting Taltz, call your doctor right away.

Your doctor should check you for tuberculosis (TB) before you start Taltz, and watch you closely for signs of TB during and after treatment with Taltz. If you have TB, or had it in the past, your doctor may treat you for it before you start Taltz.

Do not use Taltz if you have had a serious allergic reaction to ixekizumab or any other ingredient in Taltz, such as: swelling of your eyelids, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, trouble breathing, feeling faint, throat or chest tightness, or skin rash. Get emergency help right away if you have any of these reactions. See the Medication Guide that comes with Taltz for a list of ingredients.

Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel disease) can start or get worse with Taltz use. Tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms or if they get worse: stomach pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.

You should not get live vaccines while taking Taltz. You should get the vaccines you need before you start Taltz.

Common side effects

The most common side effects of Taltz include:

Injection site reactions	Upper respiratory infections
Nausea	Fungal skin infections

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects. You can report side effects at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before using

Before you use Taltz, review these questions with your doctor:

• Are you being treated for an infection?
• Do you have an infection that does not go away or keeps coming back?
• Do you have TB or have you been in close contact with someone with TB?
• Do you have possible symptoms of an infection such as fever, cough, sores, diarrhea, or
  other symptoms? Ask your doctor about other possible symptoms.
• Do you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?

Tell your doctor if:

• You need any vaccines or have had one recently.
• You take prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
• You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Taltz can harm an unborn baby. Pregnancy Exposure Registry: There is a pregnancy registry to collect information about women who are exposed to Taltz during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. If you become pregnant while taking Taltz, you are encouraged to enroll in the pregnancy registry by calling 1-800-284-1695 or by visiting online at https://www.taltz.com.
• You are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if Taltz passes into breastmilk.

How to take

See the instructions for use that come with Taltz. There you will find information about how to store, prepare, and inject Taltz. Adults may self-inject after receiving training from a healthcare provider.

For people under 18 years of age:

• Weighing less than 50 kg (i.e., 110 lb): Taltz must be given by a healthcare provider.
• Weighing more than 50 kg (i.e., 110 lb): If your healthcare provider decides that your caregiver may give your injections of Taltz at home, your caregiver should ask and receive training from a healthcare provider on the right way to prepare and inject Taltz.

Learn more

Taltz is a prescription medicine. For more information, call 1-800-545-5979 or go to taltz.com.

This summary provides basic information about Taltz but does not include all information known about this medicine. Read the information that comes with your prescription each time your prescription is filled. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor. Be sure to talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider about Taltz and how to take it. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide if Taltz is right for you.

IX CON BS 05OCT2022

Taltz^® and its delivery device base are trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.

PP-IX-US-6265 05/2023 ©Lilly USA, LLC 2023. All rights reserved.

2023-06-09T17:39:00

(BPT) – July 1 is Flush Smart Day, a nationwide initiative to educate and encourage everyone to practice smart flushing habits all year long. All too often, products that weren’t designed to be flushed down the toilet end up in pipes and sewer systems, causing damage to a home’s sewer system and beyond.

According to the Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA), more than 90% of wipes sold are not designed to be flushed. That’s because non-flushable wipes are made from long synthetic fibers, making them durable for their intended purpose. However, these durable fibers also make these items a danger to your plumbing.

This Flush Smart Day, the Responsible Flushing Alliance wants to help you learn how to flush smart today and beyond. Here are some simple tips to help avoid costly plumbing issues at home and protect the environment by reducing sewer blockages.

1. Know what you can’t flush

Your toilet is not a trashcan. Just because something is small enough to pass through the toilet pipe doesn’t mean it should be flushed. Non-flushable items can cause a lot of damage to homes, schools, businesses, sewers, wastewater treatment facilities, and the environment when flushed. Here’s a list of some commonly flushed items that should never be flushed:

• Baby wipes
• Period products
• Hard surface or cleaning wipes
• Makeup removing wipes
• Cotton balls, pads or swabs
• Sheet masks
• Dental floss, teeth whitening strips, contact lenses
• Hair or hair weaves
• Paper towels or rags
• Trash, cat litter
• Medicine, syringes

2. Educate family and houseguests

If you don’t know what you can’t flush, chances are your household and guests won’t either. Help them (and yourself) out by posting a sign on or near the toilet with a list of non-flushable items as a reminder.

Make sure there’s a small trash can next to the toilet to make it easy to dispose of non-flushable items. You can also keep disposable bags near the trashcan to wrap up diapers, baby wipes, and period products.

3. Properly dispose of FOGs

Fats, oils and greases (FOGs) can cause just as much damage as solid non-flushable items. Don’t flush FOGs down the toilet or pour them down the sink. Otherwise, you may be helping create a fatberg. When FOGs and non-flushable items collect in pipes, they can create a large, rock-like mass of waste matter in the sewer system. These fatbergs can grow and eventually destroy pipes and homes if left unchecked. You can find instructions on how to make your own FOG can at FlushSmart.org.

4. Look for the “Do Not Flush” symbol

Sometimes, it can be difficult to determine if an item, like wipes, can be flushed. You can double-check if an item is not flushable by looking for the “Do Not Flush” symbol on the packaging. If you see the symbol on the wipes packaging, do not flush the wipes down the toilet!

5. When in doubt, throw it out!

If you’re not 100% sure an item can be flushed, err on the side of caution. Throw it out and don’t risk your plumbing, home, and the environment by flushing something that isn’t meant to be flushed.

This July and beyond, flush smart and avoid costly clogs and other consequences. By doing your part and flushing responsibly, you can help protect your home plumbing, local sewers, water treatment plants, and environment. For more tips, information, and resources, visit FlushSmart.org and follow @FlushSmart on Twitter and Facebook.

2023-06-07T05:01:01

(BPT) – In honor of World Caring Day, a global celebration of compassion and support, we delve into the vital role of caregivers and the significance of self-care in their lives.

Whether you’re a parent, spouse, sibling, grandparent or other relative or friend caring for a loved one, you play a vital role in their well-being. Caring Bridge — a nonprofit that provides no-cost dedicated, private, ad-free space for communication, support and connection for a loved one’s health journey — is bringing awareness to the role of family caregivers and how they can care for themselves. Read on to learn about the three signs that you may be in a caring role and tips on nurturing yourself today and beyond.

Do you care for a loved one?

Often, family carers don’t realize they’re in a caregiving situation. For example, a husband may temporarily take care of his wife, who’s broken her leg and help with activities and tasks she can’t do independently because of her injury. Or perhaps an adult child finds that their mother increasingly relies on them for care after a dementia diagnosis.

Whether a medical condition is temporary or permanent, many family members become care participants in their loved ones’ lives without knowing it or meaning to. Here are three signs that you may have transitioned into a care role.

• You have increased responsibilities for the well-being and care of a loved one. This may include providing emotional support, managing medical appointments, assisting with daily activities or coordinating care services.
• You’ve had lifestyle adjustments, such as changes in routines, living arrangements or career choices, to care for your loved one.
• Your relationship with the person who receives your care and others in your life has changed. You may feel stronger bonds with the person you care about and experience strain or tension in your relationships because of your responsibilities.

Not all of these signs may apply to everyone. Family care participants have a variety of experiences. Whether they identify as a caregiver, carer, care participant, care partner or avoid labels altogether, they provide invaluable support to their loved ones.

However, to care for others, it’s critical that you also care for yourself. Your well-being should also be as much of a priority as that of your loved one. Here are five ways you can care for yourself while participating in care for others.

1. Practice stress management

The extra responsibilities of being a care partner can be stressful, especially if you have no or minimal help and support. It’s important to take breaks from caring and focus on your needs.

Consider engaging in activities that can help reduce stress to maintain your well-being. Some healthy ways to manage stress include deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, walking, running, spending time with friends or any activity you enjoy.

2. Care for yourself

You work hard, and it’s important to remember that you deserve care too. Set time aside every day to take care of you! Take a walk, read a book, watch a movie, paint or write. Anything that makes you feel happy and relaxed is worth doing so you can prioritize yourself while still helping others.

If your financial situation allows, enjoy a spa day, get a manicure and pedicure or book a massage. These forms of self-care can get you out of the house and allow you space and time to focus on nourishing yourself.

Don’t wait until you feel burnt out to enjoy some self-care. If your schedule and budget allow, set regular weekly or monthly appointments that you can look forward to and know that you can also receive care.

3. Prioritize your health

It’s easy for carers to ignore their health when they’re busy helping others with daily tasks. However, you can’t neglect your health. Just like airplane safety videos remind you, it’s important to put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others.

Take stock of your health. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a preventative care visit or need another medical appointment, it’s a good idea to book now so you can work it into your schedule. You can also care for your physical and mental health by eating a balanced diet, exercising, journaling and sleeping well.

4. Maintain relationships

Many people who care for their loved ones say they feel overwhelmed, isolated and lonely as they support their family member’s health journey. These feelings aren’t just emotional burdens.

According to findings by the U.S. Surgeon General, prolonged loneliness is akin to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Also, poor social relationships, social isolation and loneliness can increase your risk of heart disease by 29% and stroke by 32%.

To improve your stress response and minimize the negative health effects of stress, it’s important that you stay socially connected. Schedule regular get-togethers with friends, pursue hobbies or interests with others and reach out for help when needed.

5. Find community

Not everyone understands what you’re going through in your specific caring situations. Still, many people provide care to family members just like you. You can feel less alone, ask for advice and find community with other family caregivers through support groups.

One way you can share your experiences, build connections, find comfort and receive valuable insight from others who understand is by visiting CaringBridge.com. Here, you’ll find resources and a community that can help you feel less alone and overwhelmed in your role as a carer.

You can also create a CaringBridge site to easily communicate health updates to a group of loved ones. The nonprofit solution is no cost, easy to use and designed to share your family member’s health journeys all on a private communication platform with no ads. To learn more or make a donation, visit CaringBridge.org.

2023-06-07T05:01:01

(BPT) – Stretch marks — you know them as those annoying long, narrow streaks, stripes or lines that can develop on your skin. They tend to pop up when your skin becomes stretched out or starts to sag, especially during periods of rapid growth, weight gain or loss, or pregnancy.

Anyone can develop stretch marks, but they are most common in women. They can show up on your stomach, thighs, hips, breasts, upper arms and lower back. Additionally, genetics play a role in determining who is more prone to developing stretch marks, meaning you might have your parents to thank for this unique feature.

Unfortunately, until now the most common ways to improve stretch marks have been to apply Vitamin E, cocoa butter and skincare products with glycolic acid, but it can take a long time to see any significant improvement with these topical products. Recent advancements in technology have brought about a new solution for reducing the appearance of stretch marks, especially the hottest trend right now, microneedling. But how can you boost an already great treatment? Enter Secret^® PRO from Cutera^®, the secret weapon for reducing the appearance of stretch marks and signs of aging.*

Secret PRO takes a unique approach to skin revitalization by combining two powerful technologies — fractional CO₂ laser and radiofrequency microneedling. These two modalities work safely and effectively to treat the deepest layers of your skin where stretch marks turn up. While the CO₂ laser targets the outermost layers of the skin, Secret PRO’s effective RF energy can reach down to the deeper layers of your skin to stimulate collagen remodeling and brighten and smooth the skin for a revitalized appearance overall.*

According to Facial Plastic Surgeon Prem Tripathi, MD, MPH of Silhouette Aesthetics in Livermore, CA, “The Secret PRO delivers amazing results. We can customize a treatment program for each individual patient to achieve the best possible results for a wide range of skin concerns. One of the areas where this innovative dual technology is very effective is for patients who are concerned about stretch marks.”

“This treatment utilizes microneedles to deliver RF energy into varying skin levels, allowing us to tailor treatments to each patient’s concerns. For example, radiofrequency with the Secret PRO is an ideal treatment for any area you are bothered by from aging, weight gain and loss, as well as childbirth. We can reduce the effects of sun damage, improve skin texture and tone, and promote collagen production to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, scars, and fine lines and wrinkles with fractional skin resurfacing,” says Dr. Tripathi.*

Dr. Tammy Chen of Central Park Laser Aesthetics in New York City uses the Secret PRO to address her patients’ face, neck, chest, as well as surgical scars and stretch marks for men and women.* “The results we can achieve are incredible. I call it a non-surgical lift without the downtime associated with more invasive options. There is minimal swelling and downtime for most of our patients so they can get back to their busy lives very quickly.”

“Since Secret PRO treatments are non-invasive, there is no need to undergo anesthesia. We use a topical anesthetic to keep patients comfortable and the treatment typically takes about 30-40 minutes. They just lay back, relax and watch TV or chat with me while I do the treatment. The procedure is well tolerated, and patients are excited to come back for more treatments.”^†

“It is very safe and the results we can achieve are more natural looking than many other invasive treatments. Patients can achieve the visible results they are looking for with little to no downtime. We can use the Secret PRO safely for all skin types, from very fair to light brown skin that tans easily,” says Dr. Chen.‡

Want to find out if you are a candidate for Secret PRO? Find a Secret PRO practice near you.

*By way of resurfacing and hemostasis and coagulation.

†Patient results may vary.

‡CO₂ can only be used for Fitzpatrick Skin Types 1-4.